30 Must-Know BMX Racing Terms, Phrases and Slang

Hit the BMX track running with the raddest terms that’ll make you the king of convo among your crew!

Prepare to catch major air and leave your mark on the scene; with these 30 incendiary BMX phrases, you’ll not only ride with swag but talk the talk of a true trailblazer.

Ready to shred the jargon jungle? Pedal into the lexicon loop!

Must-Know BMX Racing Terms, Phrases and Slang:

1. Berm
2. Bunny hop
3. Gate
4. Manual
5. Moto
6. Pump track
7. Race line
8. Scrub
9. Tabletop
10. Whip
11. 360
12. Clipless
13. Drop-in
14. Flow
15. Grind
16. Half-pipe
17. Jump
18. Kicker
19. Nose manual
20. Pegs
21. Quarter pipe
22. Rhythm section
23. Roll-in
24. Step-up
25. Transfer
26. Vert
27. Wall ride
28. X-up
29. Yank
30. Lip

#1 Berm

A banked corner on a BMX track, an essential feature that riders use to maintain speed through turns. Expertly navigating a berm is key to a racer’s strategy and overall track time.

#2 Bunny Hop

The basic BMX maneuver that involves lifting both the front and back wheels off the ground simultaneously. It’s a fundamental technique used to jump over obstacles without the aid of a ramp.

#3 Gate

The starting mechanism in BMX racing that holds the bikes before the start of a race. When the gate drops, the race begins, and getting a quick snap out of the gate can be crucial for winning.

#4 Manual

A skill where the rider lifts the front wheel off the ground and balances on the rear wheel without pedaling. This is used to maintain speed and navigate over small obstacles or bumps.

#5 Moto

A term used to describe a single heat or race in the competition where several riders compete to qualify for the next round. A typical BMX event is split into several motos.

#6 Pump Track

A circuit with a series of rolling bumps and banked turns where riders use the up-and-down pumping motion of their bodies to gain propulsion without pedaling. Pump tracks improve riders’ timing and control.

#7 Race Line

The optimal path a rider takes through a course to achieve the best possible time. Choosing an effective race line is crucial for maintaining speed and outmaneuvering competitors on the track.

#8 Scrub

A technique used in BMX racing where the rider pushes the bike down close to the jump instead of going for maximum airtime. This helps maintain speed by minimizing time in the air and allows for quicker transitions between jumps.

#9 Tabletop

A type of jump on a BMX track with a flat top between the takeoff and landing ramps. Riders aim to clear the tabletop by jumping from the takeoff to the landing without touching the flat top.

#10 Whip

A stylish maneuver where the rider kicks the rear of the bike out to one side while in the air. It’s a crowd-pleaser and often used to express flair and control during jumps and competitions.

#11 360

A trick in BMX racing and freestyle involving a complete 360-degree rotation of the bike and rider in the air. This maneuver can be performed off jumps, in the air during a race, or in a park setting, and is a fundamental trick showcasing a rider’s control and aerial ability.

#12 Clipless

A pedal system where the rider’s shoes are mechanically attached to the pedals via a cleat, enhancing pedaling efficiency and bike control. Most BMX racers prefer clipless pedals for better performance during races.

#13 Drop-in

The action of entering a ramp or bowl by dropping down from the edge into the transition. It’s an essential skill for starting a run and maintaining momentum in park riding and competitions.

#14 Flow

Describes the smooth, seamless riding through a BMX track or park, with rhythmic transitions between jumps and turns. Good flow means a rider is using the course’s features to maintain speed and style.

#15 Grind

A trick performed by sliding the bike’s pegs along a rail, ledge, or other edge. In BMX, grinding is not only a staple of street and park riding but can also be incorporated creatively in competitive runs.

#16 Half-pipe

A U-shaped ramp structure used primarily in BMX freestyle. It consists of two concave ramps facing each other with a flat section in between. Riders perform aerial tricks by launching off the ramps into the air and landing back on the ramp.

#17 Jump

In BMX racing, a jump involves a rider launching off a ramp or mound of dirt and soaring through the air before landing. This is a fundamental skill for navigating BMX tracks and executing tricks.

#18 Kicker

A kicker is a steep takeoff ramp that is designed to launch a BMX rider into the air. It enables riders to perform aerial tricks or clear obstacles with more height during a race or freestyle session.

#19 Nose Manual

A nose manual is when a rider balances on the front wheel of the BMX bike, with the rear wheel lifted off the ground. This advanced technique requires precise balance and control.

#20 Pegs

Pegs are metal or plastic tubes attached to the axles of the BMX bike. BMX racers typically don’t use them, but they are essential in freestyle BMX for performing grinds and tricks on obstacles.

#21 Quarter Pipe

A quarter pipe is a ramp with a vertical backside and a curved transition used in BMX and skateboarding. It’s used to launch riders into the air for tricks but is not typically found in BMX racing.

#22 Rhythm Section

The rhythm section of a BMX track consists of a series of jumps and obstacles that riders must navigate using a combination of timing and speed. It requires riders to find a steady cadence to maintain momentum.

#23 Roll-in

The starting ramp that riders use to gain the initial speed and momentum in BMX freestyle, especially in half-pipe and ramp competitions. A good roll-in helps the rider achieve enough height to perform various aerial tricks.

#24 Step-up

A jump on a BMX track where the rider ascends from a lower to a higher elevation, typically requiring explosive power to clear the gap and land on the higher section. Mastering step-ups is crucial for maintaining speed and flow on a course.

#25 Transfer

A move where a BMX rider jumps from one line or ramp to a different one, often at an angle or across a gap. Transfers demonstrate a rider’s creativity and ability to use the park’s terrain to link together unexpected paths.

#26 Vert

Short for “vertical,” vert refers to ramps or structures with a straight up-and-down orientation, often at a 90-degree angle to the ground. BMX vert riding tests a cyclist’s abilities to perform aerial tricks at great heights.

#27 Wall ride

An advanced BMX trick where riders approach a vertical wall or surface and ride along it horizontally, relying on momentum and bike control. Wall rides add flair to a run and showcase technical skill.

#28 X-up

A mid-air BMX trick where the rider turns the handlebars 180 degrees while jumping, crossing their arms before returning the bars to the normal position before landing. The X-up is a fundamental trick for BMX freestyle.

#29 Yank

A slang term describing the action of pulling hard on the handlebars to gain extra height during a jump. Yanking is crucial for clearing large gaps or performing more complex aerial tricks.

#30 Lip

The top edge of a ramp or jump where the incline ends and the descent begins in BMX and other cycling sports. The lip is crucial for launching the rider into the air, and its shape affects the trajectory and style of the jump.

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